Defender Boyd Okwuonu, who has played with the U.S. U17 and U18 teams, enjoys the formation.

“It’s more aggressive, we’re more attacking,” he said of the 4-3-3. “We have a different mentality in this formation, we’re going out there taking risks, going forward.”

With the qualifying process just under a year away, there’s still a chance for players to impress. But according to forward Danny Garcia, there was still a sense of urgency heightened the intensity of the camp, as it’s play well or go home.

“There is a difference because everyone has to put everything in it,” he said. “It’s all or nothing in the camp because either you do great and get called back, or do poor and don’t get called back.”

For Garcia, who has scored 17 goals in 19 games for FC Dallas U18s in the Development Academy, the camp was another opportunity to measure up against some of the best talents the U.S. player pool has to offer.

“It’s given me a chance to see how I’m doing, how my level is, how skillful I am compared to the other players in the Academy, in college or even in Europe,” he said.